Nipple applicator



F. A. ARMSTRNG NIPPLE A1=P1.Ic..ToR

Filed Maron 14. 1927 .I .I Il l. .lrll lvllll lll-lr.

- July 10, 1928.

Patented July l0, 1928.

UNITED sra'rss FREDRICK A. ARMSTRONG, 0F KIBLKSVILLE, MISSOURI.

NIPPLE APPLICATOR.

Application led March 14, 1927. Serial No. 175,230.

The present invention relates to an improved contrivance made especially:for aiding in applying a nursing bottle nlpple to the mouth of thebottle, and the same will be hereinafter generally designated as anipple applicator.

The invention has more specific reference to one which is particularlyconstructed for applying nipples of va comparatively heavy and sturdytype used on nursing bottles having a large open mouth.

Asis well known, much diiiculty is usually experienced by the averagemother in apply.. ing the nipple to the neck of the bottle, Frequently,the entire contents of the bottle is lost by accidentally tilting thebottle over in the attempt to apply the strong nipple. This happensespecially when the ingers are wet and the neck of the bottle slipperyfrom accumulated milk.

Of course, if the user has weak hands, it is frequently impossible toapply the nipple.

What I propose is a simple and inexpensive and handy contrivance, whichcan be inserted into the nipple for the purpose .of spreading it andpermitting it to be easlly slipped over the neck of the bottle, afterwhich the contrivance can be removed.

The invention is characterized by simplicity in construction,inexpensiveness of manufacture and sale, and convenience in use, as wellas etliciency in opera-tion.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the contrivanceshowing it inserted in the nipple in order to make the latter ready forapplication.

Fig. 2 is a view showing lhow the contrivance is manipula-ted inapplying the nipple to the neck of the bottle.

In the drawing, the reference character 1 designates the bottle which isof the open lmouth type, and 2 represents the nipple which, as is wellknown, is composed of comparatively sturdy rubber, in order that it maybe securely held in place onvthe neck of the bottle.

The improved device is generally represented by the reference character3 and it comprises a flat metal resilient band 4 of appropriatedimensions, having its end portions 5 and 6 disposed in slidingoverlapping relation. Formed on the extremity of the end 6 is a hook 7which slidably engages the complemental end portion 5 in order to retainthe ends together. Also carried by the free end portions are dependingwebs 8 carrying outwardly bent handles 9. At a point substantiallydiametrically opposite to the handles the band is provided with anoutstanding finger-grip and rest 10.

In practice the band is inserted into the rubber nipple as shown inFigure 1. The natural tendency of the band however is to contract whichaction causes the handle to move apart. The band is shown contracted inFigure 2. When it is desired to place the nipple over the mouth of thebottle the handles 9 are grasped and moved together, thus increasing thediameter of the band as shown in Figure 1. In so doing the nipple isstretched so that it can be slipped down over the bottle, which positionit occupies in Figure 2. m Now, the handles may be released and theinherent resiliency of the metal in the band causes it to contract,moving the handles apart as shown in Figure 2. By forcing downwardly on,the handle' and also on the rest 10, the ent-ire device can be slippeddown and oi of the bottle in an obvious manner. i I A consideration ofthe description in connection with the drawings will undoubtedly sufliceto give a clear understanding of the invention, its use, and theadvantages. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thoughtunnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and rearrangement may be resorted towithin the scope of t-he adjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A nippleapplicator and expander of the class described, comprising a flateXpansible metal band of split form having its ends disposed in slidableoverlapping relation, handles carried by said overlapping ends,connecting means between the overlapping ends, and means on one sideofthe band to facilitate extraction from the nipple after it is inposition on the bottle.

2. As a new `product of manidacture, a

nipple applicator comprising a flat metal band of expnnsible split typeent to form an annulus and having its ends disposed in slidableoverlapping relation, a hook on the ex- 5 tremty of one end engaging thecomplemental end to hold the ends of the bands together, depending Webscarried bythe free 'ends of the bands and provided with outstandinghandles, and a substantially diemetrica 1y opposite outstanding fingergrip and rest'carred by the lower edge portion of the intermediate part.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FREDRICK A. ARMSTRONG.

